How Committed Are You?

1. At dinner after a big game, my dad (who didn't play my sport) tells me some areas that he thinks I can improve in.

I nod my head as if I'm listening so he'll stop talking. Most the time he doesn't know anything about my sport.

I listen to him and look for ideas that might help, explain to him why other ideas may not work, and discuss ideas that might work.

I remind him that he didn't even play this sport, and I can take him. When he tells me he's just trying to help, I probably yell back "Well... DON"T!" and storm off.

I listen to him and try to find something he says that I can actually use.

2. During Halftime, your coach yells at you in front of the whole team about several areas you personally messed up in during the first half. How do you respond?

I yell at him about his poor play calling and why we need a better coach.

I listen to what he has to say and look for ways I can improve based on his criticism.

I listen to what he has to say, then block it all out and go play my game.

I put my head down and try not to let him get to me.

3. During the game, you see a potential opportunity that will either be a HUGE play or an embarrassing mistake that everyone will see me make. What do you do?

If the play is necessary for our team to have the chance to win, take it. Otherwise, don't take the chance!

I won't take it. The risk of failure and embarrassment is too high!

At the next timeout, I'll let my coach know about the opportunity and see what he thinks.

Take it! If there is a chance it can help my team, I've got to take it! Opportunities like this don't come around every game!

4. When in intense situations during a game, your emotional state usually is:

I am on the verge of yelling, punching, raging and/or crying during games.

I am pretty calm and cool most of the time.

I am the master of my feelings. I control them, they do not control me.

I'm pretty good at controlling my emotions as long as everything goes the way I want!

5. When it comes to goal setting:

I set specific goals--not only for the season, but even daily goals for practice.

I set specific goals at the beginning of the season that I often remind myself of.

I set some goals with the team at the beginning of the season, but I don't really think much about them.

I think goals are a waste of time--I just need to get out there and play hard.

6. Before going to practice, or before a game, what do you do to mentally prepare?

I don't really do much mental preparation before games or practice...

I mentally prepare before my games so I'm ready to compete, but not much before practice.

On game day I try to put my cell phone away in the locker room. At practice, I usually am running to make it to practice on time.

I spend some time mentally preparing--getting my mind right to be at my best--whether for a game or practice.

7. How would you best describe your sleep habits?

I am pretty good about getting to bed at a decent hour, and usually get 8-9 hours of sleep.

I'm really busy, and it's hard to get to bed on time. I try, but I usually get 6-7 hours of sleep.

I am lucky if I get 5 hours of sleep most school nights. I'm seldom in bed before midnight.

I am very disciplined about going to bed on time each night, and usually get 9+hours of sleep.

8. When things don't go my way in sports, I usually re-act:

I recognize I can learn something from everything, regardless of how disappointing the outcome. Failure will prepare me for next time.

If I can't win, I don't want to play. It's that simple.

I HATE losing, and people that say we should learn something from everything, even failure, are LOSERS! I HATE LOSING!

I try really hard to take disappointment as an opportunity for growth... Sometimes it takes me a couple hours to get over it first though...

9. If someone could read my thoughts during a pressure situation during a game, what would they hear?

I'm usually trying to think about my job and where I need to be for this play.

I wouldn't be thinking too much--I like to allow my body to react to the game. When I do something good, I try to say something positive to myself.

I would be talking to myself, reiterating how good I am and that I can do this! I would be reminding myself of my hard work and efforts that prepared me for this moment.

"Don't miss!" "Don't mess up!" "Dang it! I can't believe you did that!" "Please don't pass it to me!"